Page 61 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

The pleasure built slowly, like a tide climbing over a sandbar, rising bit by bit, drowning me bit by bit.

Then—

The window slammed open.

Cold air rushed in. The curtain billowed and fell, white fabric whipping in the wind like a startled bird.

A man sat on the windowsill, his silhouette backlit by dim yellow light, black coat snapping in the night wind.

I couldn't see his face, only the outline the light carved around him.

Who was it?

My heart nearly shattered my ribs.

He dropped from the sill, landed solidly, and walked straight toward me.

Before I could sit up, his shadow pressed down over me.

He bent down, grabbed my chin, and kissed me hard.

Chapter Sixteen

Anna

My scream died in my throat.

Ivan's palm covered my mouth, dry and scorching hot, sliding down my jaw, his fingers tracing my neck inch by inch like he was measuring something he'd memorized long ago.

"Kitten," his lips brushed my ear. "You've been bad again."

"I didn't—"

He wouldn't let me finish. His mouth claimed mine.

He pressed me into the mattress, pinning my hands above my head.

I tried to fight him, but his strength was absolute. There was no room for resistance.

Click.

Cold metal locked around my wrists. I yanked against it. The chain rattled with a delicate metallic sound.

"Ivan."

I called his name, struggling helplessly.

Ivan looked down at me, moonlight cutting through the window and illuminating half his face.

He unbuckled his belt. The metal buckle chimed with each movement, each sound striking my heart.

He pulled the belt free and cracked it through the air. That sharp snap made me even more excited.

I should curse him.

I had to curse him.

How dare he sneak through my window like a thief in the middle of the night, cuff me to the bed, and do whatever he wanted?